# FORMAT Virtual vs The Handle Bar Virtual

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FORMAT Virtual at none against The Handle Bar Virtual's 1. FORMAT Virtual also leads on update cadence (every 4 months vs every 18 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. The Handle Bar Virtual sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $229.00 per month. FORMAT Virtual asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for FORMAT Virtual against 5.0 for The Handle Bar Virtual. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

FORMAT Virtual ships an update every 4 months, The Handle Bar Virtual every 18 months. The most recent releases landed on June 2, 2026 and August 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FORMAT Virtual | The Handle Bar Virtual |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/format-virtual/id1607862721/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-handle-bar-virtual/id6474221015/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 18 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 141 MB | 141 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Format Fitness Corp](https://appshunter.io/developer/1586379427) | [The Handle Bar Management Co LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1721083031) |

## What reviewers say

### FORMAT Virtual

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/format-virtual/id1607862721)

Access a variety of fitness classes like Barre, HIIT, and Strength anytime, anywhere. Engage with live and on-demand sessions featuring 2-way video, leaderboards, and community chat. Track your progress and heart rate by connecting wearable devices.

**Highlights:** Livestream and on-demand classes, Barre, HIIT, and Strength workouts, 2-way video functionality, Leaderboard sweat points, Community chat, Wearable device integration for heart rate and calorie tracking

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none


### The Handle Bar Virtual

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-handle-bar-virtual/id6474221015)

Experience transformative workouts with signature cycling, strength, and sculpting classes. Enjoy music-synced cardio, mat-based toning, and heated infrared sessions. Classes range from 45-60 minutes and are suitable for all fitness levels.

**Highlights:** Signature cycling classes, Mat-based strength training, Heated infrared sculpting, Vinyasa and pilates fusion, Music-synced cardio, Breathwork and meditation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Unlimited | $229.00 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FORMAT Virtual free?

FORMAT Virtual is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is The Handle Bar Virtual free?

The Handle Bar Virtual is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, FORMAT Virtual or The Handle Bar Virtual?

FORMAT Virtual and The Handle Bar Virtual are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do FORMAT Virtual or The Handle Bar Virtual have ads?

Neither FORMAT Virtual nor The Handle Bar Virtual shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FORMAT Virtual or The Handle Bar Virtual?

FORMAT Virtual ships an update every 4 months, and The Handle Bar Virtual every 18 months. Most recently, FORMAT Virtual was updated on June 2, 2026 and The Handle Bar Virtual on August 9, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*